——Are you willing to inherit your father’s title?
With that unexpected question from Her Highness, I found myself feeling oddly lightheaded as I made my way back to the inn, lost in thought.
What exactly does a noble title entail?
What meaning does it hold? What kind of authority does it grant? And if I were to accept it, how would my life change?
Why was Father granted a viscountcy? What made him decide to accept it? And do I even have the right to inherit it?
These questions swirled in my mind as I walked, and upon arriving at the inn, Mother glanced at me with a knowing smile and said,
「Karen, take Chocola and Mint for a walk.」
「Hmm, alright.」
「Walk? City? Sounds fun! Let’s go, Chocola!」
「Bark? …Bark!」
She was being considerate.
「…Thanks, Mother.」
「Have a good talk with Viole-sama. To be honest, I don’t know much about the noble system in Sorx Kingdom either. But, in the end, just do what feels right for you.」
「Kwuunn…」
「Sorry, Chocola. I’ll take you with me tomorrow, alright?」
「Bark!」
And with that, Karen fastened the leash onto Chocola, took Mint by the hand, and set off on their walk. The city was large—by the time they finished circling around, our conversation would likely be over.
「It’s only natural to feel confused. Your father was just as troubled back then… Let’s start from the beginning.」
Mother placed two cups of tea on the table and motioned for me to take a seat in the living room. The unfamiliar, foreign-style furniture of this world only added to my sense of unease, but as I looked at Mother’s face, I felt myself relaxing little by little.
「Your father accepted his title as a means of self-preservation. When he transmigrated to this world from Japan, he had neither status nor citizenship.」
「…That’s different for me, though, isn’t it?」
「Yes. You were born here in Sorx Kingdom. Your birth was properly registered.」
Thinking back on my parents’ circumstances, it made sense why the title would have been useful. After all, Mother was a marquess’ daughter who had fled her noble house, while Father, being Japanese, had no social standing whatsoever in this world.
On top of that, they were involved in the kingdom’s succession struggle—even going as far as to support the replacement of the reigning king. Wait, doesn’t that basically mean they committed high treason? How did they even get away with that?
That being said, Father needed something to guarantee and secure his position—a place to stand, so to speak. That place was the simple fact that he had been granted a noble title by the reigning king. With that, he gained the backing of the state, a legitimate standing that allowed him to marry Mother without issue.
Now, turning that question around—
Did I, Sui Hatano, have the same need for such a thing?
「I wouldn’t say it’s completely unnecessary, but I don’t really feel like I need it either…」
「That’s true. As things stand, there haven’t been any issues.」
「But that’s only for now, right?」
For example, when I eventually marry Karen.
Or, in the distant future, after Mother is no longer around to support me.
Even further down the line, when all of us have lived out our natural lifespans, and Mint is left behind on her own.
There may come a time when the authority of the Hatano Viscountcy becomes necessary.
Thanks to Alice-san, things have become more open in Alfheim but that doesn’t change the fact that the bloodlines of the Six Founding Clans hold an aristocratic status equivalent to that of nobility in other nations. There could always be those who would try to challenge or undermine that standing. And not just from the countries we expect—it could come from an entirely unexpected third party.
For now, we have the presence of the 『Heavenly Bell Witch』—Viole Ella Mucare Hatano—as an overwhelming deterrent. As long as we’re under the protection of someone whom even kings must humble themselves before, no one will dare to touch us.
But what happens when that protection is gone?
Mint, who will outlive all of us by far, will eventually step into a future none of us can predict. I just don’t want to limit her possibilities. Whether in the dragon’s homeland or human society, I want her to live peacefully, happily, and freely—without fear or restriction. If there’s something I can leave behind for that purpose, then it’s best to start building it now.
「…Are there any downsides to holding a title? Like obligations to the kingdom or restrictions on what I can do?」
「The Hatano Viscountcy is considered a court noble house, meaning we don’t hold any land. That means no tax obligations, no mandatory service at court—but also no stipend from the crown. Still, we would officially be vassals of the Sorx royal family.」
「Does that mean I wouldn’t be able to refuse orders from them?」
「…It’s hard to say. It depends on what consequences would follow if you refused, but in the worst case, your title could be revoked. That wouldn’t really be much of a loss, though, would it?」
Mother furrowed her brows in thought.
「That said… I don’t think Shapps—the king—would issue any unreasonable orders, and as of now, there’s no cause for concern with the next generation of princes either.」
「What about being used for political purposes in ways we wouldn’t expect?」
「Honestly, that could go either way. Having a noble title comes with its own risks, but not having one isn’t necessarily any safer. Either way, there’s always a chance of getting caught up in something troublesome. In the end, it all comes down to how you protect yourself and how you handle things.」
「Hmm…」
To summarize—
There likely wouldn’t be any serious inconveniences.
The only real drawback would be formally serving the Sorx royal family.
But that didn’t mean I’d be forced to obey them without question.
On the other hand, I would gain the protection of both the kingdom and the royal house.
Now then, what should I do?
As I sat there deep in thought, Mother took a sip of her tea and spoke to me in a calm, steady voice.
「Sui-kun. Of course, neither I nor Karen or the others would oppose your decision. You’re free to choose what you want. There are both benefits and drawbacks, so think it through carefully and give your answer before the deadline.」
「…Hey, Mother.」
And so—I set aside all thoughts of benefits and drawbacks for the moment.
I put them away and instead asked a completely different question.
「When Father received his title… what kind of face did he make?」
「…Kazu-kun?」
Mother’s lips curved into a soft smile.
With nostalgia, amusement, and affection in her expression, her thoughts drifted back to the past.
「Your father, at that moment… He looked like it was a hassle, but also a little happy. Like he was troubled, but also relieved. He asked me about the benefits and drawbacks… and in the end, he wore the exact same expression you have now, Sui-kun.」
She placed a gentle hand on my cheek, stroking it softly, her violet eyes narrowing fondly.
「I see.」
I recalled what Eidel-san had told me earlier—
The king’s message.
A man who had been raised to the throne by father and mother.
A man who, even after that, had apparently done as he pleased and caused them all sorts of trouble.
But from the way Mother spoke about him… Father must have thought of the king as a friend.
And the king—probably felt the same way.
——「You are the spitting image of your father.」
Ah, if that’s the case, then—
Maybe it wasn’t about politics.
Maybe it wasn’t about tying me down.
Maybe he just—felt lonely. Because the gift he had given his friend had been left in limbo.
I made my decision.
Taking a deep breath, I grasped the hand Mother had placed on my cheek and spoke.
「I’ll accept it. After all… I am Father’s son.」
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